“I commend the City of Seattle’s Resolution 31651 urging Mexican authorities to release Ms. Nestora Salgado and requesting the State Department to assist in securing her release.

“Throughout Nestora’s detention, I have consistently called for her release.  In August 2014, I wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry to call attention to Nestora’s case and to alert the Department of State to the concerning abuses of human rights and lack of due process Nestora has experienced throughout her detention.  Since that time, I have engaged with U.S. and Mexican government officials in hopes of securing Nestora’s release and advocating for her safety and well-being.

“As part of my continued calls for her freedom, in October 2015 I again wrote to Secretary Kerry advocating for Department of State assistance for the Salgado family and Nestora’s legal advocate Seattle University School of Law Professor Thomas Antkowiak in advance of hearings at the Inter-American Human Rights Commission.  The Department of State responded by attending the October 2015 hearings, meeting with the family, and through continued engagement on Nestora’s case.

“My office has remained involved and in direct communication with the State Department and Professor Antkowiak in the wake of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission hearings.  After being notified of the recent United Nations Working Group decision calling for Nestora’s release, my office immediately contacted Professor Antkowiak and the Department of State, and continues to advocate for leveraging the recent decision for Nestora’s immediate release. 

“I am committed to working toward the safe return of Nestora to her family. The United Nations Working Group Report is further evidence that the Mexican government’s detention of Nestora is illegal and that she should be released immediately.  It is unacceptable for the Mexican government to continue to imprison Nestora.  I will remain involved and engaged on this critical issue until she is released and am grateful to Councilmember Kshama Sawant and the Seattle City Council for their calling attention to Nestora’s case. As a community, we must continue to work together to ensure Nestora is released and is returned safely home to her family in Renton.”